U21 PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY V BURNLEY

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Clarets head over Pennines to take on Owls in search of third consecutive success

2022-09-12T08:00:00.000Z

U21 PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY V BURNLEY

Clarets head over Pennines to take on Owls in search of third consecutive success

2022-09-12T08:00:00.000Z

Clarets head over Pennines to take on Owls in search of third consecutive success

Burnley’s U21 side return to action on Monday afternoon (September 12), travelling to take on Sheffield Wednesday at The Eco Power Stadium – home of non-league outfit Stocksbridge Park Steels – in a midday kick-off.

The Clarets have seen an upturn in form of late, recording back-to-back victories against Cardiff City and most recently Ipswich Town to put the first six points of the campaign on the board in the Professional Development League.

In a seven-goal thriller against the Tractor Boys last Monday, Ne-Jai Tucker (2), Dara Costelloe & Joe McGlynn were all on target as Burnley rose to 2nd in the Northern Section of the PDL.

Striker McGlynn has since headed out on a month-long youth loan to Oldham Athletic, while Deadline Day signings Alex Healy-Byrne & Marcel Lewis both made their debuts against Ipswich, and will again be in contention against the Owls, who are headed up by ex-defender Neil Thompson.

Having previously spent a period in caretaker charge of the first-team at Hillsborough, Thompson took over the U23 (now U21) lead role from Lee Bullen back in January, with Bullen departing to become a first-team manager up in Scotland with Burnley’s partner Club Ayr United.

Wednesday’s U23s last season finished bottom of the Northern Section in the PDL in what was a tight division, as just five points separated Thompson’s side and 4th-placed Wigan Athletic.

This term, the Owls started brightly with a 2-1 win at home to Swansea City in the opening game, scoring late to earn the three points despite being down to 10 men from the 44th minute.

But since, they’ve found it tough going and have lost their last four, conceding 13 in the process and scoring twice. Last time out, a 95th minute strike saw Bristol City leave Yorkshire with a 1-0 win and all three points. Wednesday now sit 8th on the ladder in the Northern Section.

This afternoon's Clash of the Roses – with a 12:00 kick-off – will be covered on Twitter via @ClaretsAcademy. A report will also be published on Burnleyfc.com post-match.